Frequently Asked Questions

The VCF was created as a part of legislation passed by Congress and the President to provide economic and non-economic loss compensation to individuals or relatives of deceased individuals who were killed or developed health conditions as a result of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

While the VCF processes all claims equally, by retaining an attorney you gain access to a team of highly experienced attorneys and paralegals who have made thousands of claims with the VCF on behalf of our clients. We are proud to be able to advocate for our clients who we know have suffered and continue to suffer debilitating illness which as a result makes filing a claim on their own exceedingly difficult.

Must have been present within the NYC downtown exposure zone, Freshkills Landfill or cleanup sites, Shanksville PA site, or the Pentagon site between 9/11/2001-5/30/2002. Claimants must provide two affidavits from coworkers or other volunteers who witnessed them at the site during the exposure time. Please see the VCF NYC exposure map to see if you are eligible: https://www.vcf.gov/nycExposureMap.html.

Must have developed a WTC related physical condition that has been certified by the WTC Health Program. Please provide a copy of your certification letter to our office so we can submit it to your claim.

The WTC Health Program provides medical monitoring and treatment for 9/11 related conditions. To get certified, you must first enroll in the program and provide one proof of presence affidavit or other presence document as well as pathology reports or medical records related to your 9/11 condition. To find out if your condition is 9/11 related please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/wtc/conditions.html. Once accepted into the program, you must make an appointment for an evaluation to get certified. All certified physical conditions are eligible for compensation through the VCF and all certified conditions receive free healthcare through the WTC Health Program. Please call (888)-982-4748 or visit https://www.cdc.gov/wtc/index.html to apply. If you prefer, you can call our office 212-385-8000 and we can help you through each step of the enrollment process.

The WTC Health program has a list of covered conditions on their website: https://www.cdc.gov/wtc/conditions.html. The WTC Health Program has added new conditions in the past, so if you believe your condition may be WTC-related we urge you to make an appointment with the WTC Health Program.

The VCF considers WTC Health Program certified physical conditions eligible for compensation. While the WTC Health Program certifies mental health conditions, the VCF does not consider them eligible for compensation.

The WTC Health Program provides monitoring for those who do not yet have a WTC related condition, but who were exposed to the toxic dust in the aftermath of 9/11. We urge you to enroll even if you do not yet have a WTC related condition as the WTC Health Program provides free checkups for first responders and survivors. Additionally, The WTC Health Program has added new conditions in the past, so if you believe your condition may be WTC-related we urge you to enroll.

Our offices can amend your claim to include any newly certified WTC conditions until the close of the VCF on 12/18/2020. Send a copy of your new certification letter listing your new condition to your Claim Administrator at our office and we can amend your claim for you.

The WTC Health Program and the VCF are separate organizations. The WTC Health Program provides medical monitoring and treatment to 9/11 survivors and first responders while the VCF provides economic and non-economic loss compensation for those with a physical WTC Health Program certified condition.

Enrolling in the WTC Health Program does not automatically register you with the VCF. While the VCF requires a WTC Health Program certification letter to be eligible for a claim, making a claim with the VCF is a completely separate process from enrolling in the WTC Health Program

Yes. While the WTC Health Program requires an evaluation in order to get certified for your WTC conditions, you are free to continue to see your own private physicians even though you are also entitled to free medical care through the WTC Health Program.

The WTC Health Program covers all future medical costs for conditions that they certify. The VCF will cover past medical expenses for WTC certified conditions in excess of $2,000. Call our office at 21-385-8000 to discuss which documents are needed for an out of pocket medical expense claim with the VCF.

No, after you are registered with the VCF you have until December 18, 2020 to submit your claim as well as any supporting documents. The VCF cannot process your claim without a certification letter, however your right to file a claim in the future is preserved once you register with the VCF.

Yes, the WTC Health Program has a national provider network of clinics where survivors and first responders can received treatment and monitoring. Please call 888-982-4749 to find out which clinic is closest to you.

No, you do not need to come in to the office to file a claim. You can call our office at 212-385-8000 to speak to an attorney to see if you are eligible for a claim. Additionally, if you are unable to travel to a WTC Health Program clinic for an evaluation due to illness or another impediment, we can submit a Private Physician Packet to the VCF. Our office can discuss with you which documents are needed for a PP Packet, and the VCF website outlines the eligibility criteria for a PP packet here: https://www.vcf.gov/privatephysicianprocess-forms.html.

Yes, if your new cancer falls within the latency periods outlined on the WTC Health Program website here: https://www.cdc.gov/wtc/pdfs/WTCHP-Minimum-Cancer-Latency-PP-01062015.pdf, the WTC Health Program can certify your new cancer and you may be eligible for VCF compensation. If you are unsure if you fall within the latency period for WTC cancers, please call our office at 212-385-8000.

As the VCF states on their FAQ page, the VCF does not evaluate the amount of an award based solely on the number of conditions a claimant may have, but rather on a variety of factors such as severity, type of condition, and the impact it has on your life. By law, the VCF can only issue a maximum of $90,000 for non-cancerous conditions and $250,000 for cancerous conditions. For more information, please visit the VCF’s FAQ page: https://www.vcf.gov/faq.html.

No, the VCF will not accept photographs as proof of presence documents. The VCF requires two affidavits from individuals who witnessed you in the exposure zone. If two affidavits cannot be acquired, one affidavit and a combination of other proof of presence documents such as: an employer letter or work log, memo book, W2 form, lease agreement, or other document proving your location in the exposure zone can qualify as a proof of presence document. If you were an active duty FDNY or NYPD officer, a Notice of Participation from the NYPD or FDNY records office can suffice as both proof of presence documents.

If you pass away while your claim is under review, you may still eligible for a wrongful death award. Please have your personal representative call our office at 212-385-8000 to discuss your claim moving forward.

As of December 2017, VCF is still assessing claims that were originally submitted in 2015. The VCF has been taking approximately two years to fully process each claim. For more information on the VCF’s progress please visit their website: https://www.vcf.gov/index.html.

If the VCF denies an amendment there is no appeal process. However, even though you may have been denied for an amendment you still retain the right to amend your claim in the future based on any new conditions or a future disability determination.

Claimants are able to request a VCF disability evaluation he or she does not have a previous disability determination. Please call our office at 212-385-8000 to discuss what is needed to request a disability evaluation from the VCF.

Compensation available to residents and office workers, teachers and students – not just responders and volunteers

"Barasch McGarry Salzman & Penson handled everything professionally and with patience. They always had time to answer all my questions and did what they promised. Thanks esp to Brian Calamaris Lee London, and Mariya Atanasova. Thank you."
- William Collins, FDNY

"If I could give them six stars I would...don't even bother talking to anyone else concerning 9/11. The whole team worked night and day to deliver an outstanding settlement. They are honest, hard working and extremely professional. Just make the one phone call and let them do the rest."
- Les Margulis, resident in the exposure zone

"I had a very good experience with Michael and Mariya. They made the process stress free. I would recommend this firm to anyone seeking assistance with 9/11 related illnesses."
- JE Kirwan, worked in the exposure zone

"The people at this firm were just great. They were concern with making sure I was taken care of in every way possible. When I was given an award Mr. Barasch didn't think it was a fair amount and appealed the decision which got me a larger award. I am very satisfied with everything they did for me in the past and are willing to do for me and my family in the future."
- Bob Wiecezak, FDNY-Retired

"Excellent law firm. Lee London and his staff were very responsive and always followed up with phone calls or emails. This firm is a strong example of what caring and personable lawyers are all about."
- Letitia Egan, wife of client, volunteer in the exposure zone

Deadline Extended to Register for Compensation

There is still time to apply for significant compensation if you have been diagnosed with any of the 68 cancers that doctors at the WTC Health Program (WTCHP) have linked to the WTC toxic dust. The deadline to apply to the Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) is two years from the date that a cancer has been certified by the WTC Health Program — or any other governmental agency. The two-year period to register doesn’t start on the day of a cancer diagnosis. Rather, it starts only when a cancer survivor is made aware their cancer was linked to exposure to the WTC toxins.

For those who died from their WTC-linked cancers, the two-year period for their family to register starts on the day of the death of the WTC victim.

Please help spread the word about the strict two-year deadline to register a claim

Many people have tried to complete the VCF application on their own, only to learn that it requires answers to hundreds of questions and many documents to download. It would be our pleasure to help you complete the process in order to ensure that you receive the compensation that you are entitled to. Please call us for a free consultation.

Let a knowledgeable attorney help you figure it out

A cancer diagnosis can be terrifying. You undoubtedly have questions about your disease and how you will pay for treatment. Lawyers at Barasch & McGarry ensure you understand the complex requirements and help devise the best strategies for obtaining compensation and appropriate medical care under the Zadroga Act.
Contact our law firm online or call 888-351-9421. The initial consultation is free, so it costs you nothing to find out whether a lawyer can help.

Contact Us

Fill out the form below with any questions or info on how to get your free consultation

Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Barasch & McGarry is located in New York, New York and serves clients throughout the entire New York metropolitan area, including former New York residents who have since relocated to other states and volunteers who came to New York to help in the WTC rescue and recovery efforts.

Attorney Advertising. This website is designed for general information only. The information presented at this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship. [ Site Map ]